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For those who aren’t in the know, can you tell us a little about what coding is?

Rebecca: "Coding is the way that we give instructions to computers. It's how any kind of technology - think phones, TVs, iPads, traffic lights, headphones, game consoles, even - know what to do. We can use coding to control the world around us and to solve tricky problems."

Ally: "Not everyone realises those things are controlled by computers and therefore coding. Once the kids start to realise how traffic lights ‘know’ how to change colour, you hear the penny drop and they realise how important it is! It’s such a brilliant moment when that clicks for them."

Above, L-R: Farzana, Rebecca, Ally

The programme is called 'Coding with Sophie'. Why 'Sophie'?

Rebecca: "Sophie is the name of the astronaut in our programme, and in each lesson students get to help Sophie with a new task. The name Sophie as a common female name has meant that without any specific discussion about it, it's clear that this is a programme that welcomes girls. Indeed, girls make up the majority of the students who sign up.

Often unconscious bias can mean masculine examples are used which reinforce gender stereotypes and this is something we'd like to break. Students have remarked on the name and asked about Sophie the astronaut’s origins."

Coding and coding literacy feels like a relatively new focus – is that true?

Rebecca: "I think we're talking about it more over the last few years, especially in the context of children's education. In the modern era, coding is a non-negotiable fundamental skill and so we need to continue our focus in educating kids. Like languages, coding is best learnt at a young age."

Farzana: "Exposure to coding (and indeed other STEM activities) enables children to develop the skills needed in the future world of work. These are often referred to as ''. So, even if the children who take part in programmes like Coding with Sophie never even go into coding in the future, by being exposed to programmes like this, they are still developing skills that are important for their future success.

Something that's been realised more recently is how coding plays a part in ways that we don’t expect it to - and how the world of work is more automated and efficient as a result. I have a friend who studied astrophysics with me at undergraduate level, where she was exposed to coding. She was always very musically talented and went on to do a master's degree in music. Now, in her job as a sound engineer, she's able to bring together music and coding. It’s a really nice example of how coding is combined with the arts."

Can you share how this project inspired and motivated the children who attended?

Rebecca: "There's one standout girl that I remember. She first tried the programme more than a year ago and really struggled; despite trying really hard it just wasn't clicking for her. She ended dropping out after a couple of weeks. A few months later, however, she came back! She said she wanted to try again because even though it was hard it was still fun. She kept working at it and by the end she'd gotten the hang of all the fundamentals - an incredible improvement. To me this is the core of Coding with Sophie; we meet kids at their level, try to keep it fun and to be encouraging."

For pupils who come along to a Coding with Sophie session, what kinds of career paths might await them in the future?

Rebecca: "Anything! We give them suggestions of sound engineers, architects, mathematicians, game designers, graphic designers and finance. The skills that we learn when we do coding (problem solving, digital literacy, resilience, team work, learning from trial and error, abstract and critical thinking) are all useful outside of 'being a programmer' and will serve these kids well in whatever their future is."

Farzana: "Exposure to something like this *opens* doors. You might naively think that if someone studies programming, the career path that awaits them is simply programming. But this is not the case - the skills that the kids develop and continue to develop as they continue down the coding and STEM path will set them up for the future world of work."

Find out more

• Explore: and try coding for yourself!
• Read: 'Coding with Sophie' team announced as Warwick Awards for Public and Community Engagement (WAPCE) winners
• Read: Six-week 'Coding with Sophie' programme for local primary school complete